Prosecutor Benjamin Holt said the money was spent on ‘frivolous items, for example £48 at Ann Summers’.

Her spending was ‘heavy and frequent’, he added, and she had used ‘sophisticated’ techniques.

McDonagh was hired by the council in October 2017 to assist with the distribution of funds to survivors to help them pay for accommodation and other essentials.

Trips to Paris and Iceland were also paid for using the cards, as well as purchases in high street shops (Picture: PA)

When she appeared at Isleworth Crown Court on Thursday she was also charged with fraud of abuse of position in relation to £35,000 she stole from the Medway NHS Foundation Trust, which is based in Kent, whilst working in their finance department.

She did this by setting up a ‘bogus company’ in her name and paying into it, Mr Holt added.

McDonagh, who appeared in court dressed in a grey blouse and looked unmoved throughout the hearing, pleaded guilty to the additional charge.

Defence barrister Neil Ross said the case had destroyed McDonagh’s marriage and she is now on antidepressants and seeking counselling.

He said: ‘She has destroyed her marriage. Her husband has moved out of the home they shared. She has destroyed her own future and of course has brought that on herself.

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‘She is a pathetic woman in the original meaning of that word. She is now back on antidepressants and she is trying to seek counselling.’